And it don't stop.
2016 saw a slew of government shutdowns across Shanghai's food and drink scene – starting with a huge strip of Shaanxi Nan Lu, then moving on to the watering holes and cafés on Yongkang Lu – and 2017 is shaping up to be the same. Last month it was the exit of all Farine (and Co.) locations after an out-of-date flour scandal, and now it seems that the word on the street has been true and part of Former French Concession dining hotspot Dongping Lu, west of Hengshan Lu, is next.
As of today, it looks like Glo London hub and The Coffee Academics are closing. Both venues are currently shut, with the same signs posted on each of their doors reading 'We will be closed today for essential maintenance, we apologise for any inconvenience':
Also bearing the same sign months ago, Shanghai Brewery a few doors down is now long shuttered and bricked up, which leads us to believe that the same is coming for Glo and the Academics. Around the corner, Blackbird seems fine for now – although there's a menacing pile of bricks outside.
Former Shanghai Brewery Dongping
We've heard that the other side of Dongping Lu (east of Hengshan Lu) will be safe for the immediate future. Fingers crossed that it's true.
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